-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a peace treaty between King John and barons that guaranteed the King would respect feudal rights, uphold freedom of the church, and maintain the nation's laws. King John's reign was known to be a failure. Stepen Langton called for barons to demand a charter of liberties from the King, so the barons spoke up and King John had no choice but to give them their demands. The Magna Carta layed the foundation for the evolution of the decleration of rights in the United States. -
Period: Jun 15, 1215 to
The English Parliament
The English Parliament is made up of 2 houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It acted as a counterweight of the King for 4 centuries. After the success of the Glorious Revolution, the Parliament was confirmed by the signing of the Bill of Rights. This established the parliament and limited the royal powers. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first legislature anywhere in the English colonies. It was a symbol of a representative government. The 22 members of the House of Burgesses were elected by men over 17 who owned land. The House of Burgesses could make laws that could be vetoed by the governer or directors of the Virginia Company. When Virginia became a royal colony, the powers of the House of Burgesses were restricted. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were members of the House of Burgesses. -
Mayflower Compact
While traveling on the Mayflower, Plymouth colonists realized they needed rules to govern themselves. 41 men aboard signed the compact. The compact established a tradition of direct democracy, expressed deep faith in God, deep loyalty to England and the King, mutual regard for one another as equals and the intent to establish equal laws upon a direct form of government. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was an agreement between the colonial communities Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield. It established a representative government based on the number of Massachusetts colonies. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was made up of a preamble and 11 orders of law. It provided the framework for the government of Connecticut from 1639-1662. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
Baron de Montesquieu:Belived spliting the government into the 3 branches would help balance powers in government./John Locke:Believed a limited government would protect people's natural rights./Voltaire:Believed freedom of speech was the best weapon against a bad government./Thomas Hobbes:Belived that people should form a social contract with the government where they give up all rights for protection./Jean Jacques Rousseau:Believed government should be run according to General Will. -
Glorious Revolution
During King James' II reign, he ignored the Parliament and tried to restore Catholicism and everybody disagreed with him. When King James' second wife had a baby, the nation faced a long Catholic dynasty. Whig and Tory leaders wanted the daughter of King James, Mary, and her husband, William, to claim the throne so William invaded England and James' army left him and he fled to France. William and Mary were crowned in 1689. The revolution led to the Bill of Rights being made. -
Period: to
England's Common Law
The common law was made by the English courts. It ensures that the law remains common through all the land. England's common law works on a common law system instead of a civil law system. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was established after the Glorious Revolution during the reign of King William III and Mary. It limited the power of monarchy and made the parliament supreme. Monarchy could not rule without consent of the parliament. The English Bill of RIghts had a huge influence on American colonies and the Constitution of the United States. The rights and liberties of individuals were protected under the English Law, similar to the Constitution.
